Diving Boats Seized for Breaching Marine Protection Rules Near Racha Island
Two diving boats were seized near Racha Yai Island in Phuket after operators illegally moored directly to buoys, risking damage to coral reefs in a protected marine area. The boat operators face up to two years imprisonment and fines up to
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has ordered the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to arrest diving boats violating marine protection measures at Racha Yai Island. On September 4, Suchat emphasized the importance of protecting, conserving, and restoring natural resources and environment, instructing subordinate agencies to enforce laws strictly to prevent actions damaging the nation's critical resources. Following complaints from area residents, authorities discovered diving boats mooring directly to buoys in Tao Bay near Racha Yai Island and remaining anchored for several consecutive days. Department Director Dr. Pinsak Surasawadee assigned the Enforcement and Protected Area Management Division to investigate and take urgent legal action.
Investigations confirmed violations of the 2023 ministerial declaration protecting marine resources including beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and reef life in the Racha Islands and Rawai subdistrict of Phuket. The direct anchoring of boat sterns to mooring bases risked damage to coral when bases shifted under boat tension and wave currents, subsequently striking or scraping the reef and causing coral damage. The permanent mooring also prevented other vessels from using the public buoys. Authorities arrested two diving boats with two operators and transferred them to Chalong Police Station for prosecution. Criminal cases 969/2569 and 967/2569 were filed on September 4, 2569 at 13:31 and 13:25 respectively.
The violations breach Section 22 of the 2015 Marine and Coastal Resources Management Promotion Act. Offenders face imprisonment up to two years, fines up to 200,000 baht, or both. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will continue patrolling, monitoring, and enforcing laws in protected marine areas, calling on the public, tourists, and tourism operators to strictly comply with protection measures and report any harmful activities to help preserve marine resources.
